Sevastopol

---

---

The city of Sevastopol, having a special status in the administrative structure of Ukraine, possesses an inimitable image of a Naval fortress. Sevastopol is located on the southern shore of the magnificent natural harbour.

Founded in 1783 as the base of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia, Sevastopol city grew out of bounds of naval base and became one of the biggest Ukrainian sea ports, a cultural, historical and recreation-tourist center. The city has a certain city status of the central submission. The official languages are Ukrainian and Russian. The majority of believers are Orthodox. Population - about 380 000.

There are more than 30 bays within the bounds of the region. Geographical location of the city - 47'37" North latitude, 33'31" East longitude. The distance from Sevastopol to Kiev is 1050 km, to Moscow is 1500 km, to Yalta is 85 km, to Istanbul is 490 km, to Rome is 1700 km, to Marcel is 2100 km, to Paris is 2400 km, to London is 2800 km. The total area of the city is 1079 square km - this is more than the territory of such city-states as Moscow, New York or Shanghai. The water area of the inner bays takes 216 square km of the total area.

The name which the city received at its birth is of Greek origin and is translated "magnificent, city of glory". Sevastopol justified its name by its more than centuries-old history. There are many cities all over the world which are in several times older than Sevastopol, and even more ancient, but there are no cities that can be compared to Sevastopol according to those numerous important historical events happened on its land in the period of the Crimean War in 1854-1855 & during the World War II. Sevastopol is the only city on the planet that went through 2 prolonged defenses, twice it was absolutely destroyed and rose from ruins and ashes, giving the example of courage and fortitude to the whole world.

There are more than 2 000 monuments in the city, a lot of historical places & museums, nice hotels & theaters, numerous parks & boulevards.

---

Panorama " Defense of Sevastopol, 1854-1855"

It's the special pride of Sevastopol people which is considered to be a unique masterpiece of battle-painting to have already won the world name. Panorama"Defense of Sevastopol of 1854-1855"is the only in Ukraine and one of the largest panorama in the world, housed in a circular building. The object foreground (900 sq. m) merging seamlessly the spectacular 360-degree gigantic canvas (14 m high and 115m in circumference). You'll see a key moment of Sevastopol siege and will be amazed at the impression as if you are among the defenders repulsing the 1st general assault of Sevastopol during the Crimean War. Panorama is superb with the sounds of cannon fire that help to imagine everyone in the heat of battle.

Panorama

4th bastion

Fragment of panorama

---

Count's Landing Stage

Count's Landing Stage - the grand sea gates to the city. Its granite steps go down to the sea. The image of the Count's Landing Stage (Grafskaya Pristan) has become a specific emblem of the hero-city: the whole history of Sevastopol from foundation to the present days relates to this architecture monument.

Count's Landing Stage

Count's Landing Stage

Count's Landing Stage

---

Monument to the Scuttled Ships on Primorsky Boulevard

Built in 1905 and erected in the sea in memory of Russian ships scuttled here to block the entrance into Sevastopol harbour and port, this Monument became world-famous symbol of Sevastopol.

Monument to the Scuttled Ships

Monument to the Scuttled Ships

Monument to the Scuttled Ships

---

Nakhimov Square

The central city square. In the middle of which you can see the monument to Admiral Nakhimov - the hero of the Sinop battle and the first heroic defense of Sevastopol, the talented naval commander and true patriot of Russia.

Monument to Admiral Nakhimov

Nakhimov Square

Monument to Admiral Nakhimov

---

St. Vladimir Cathedral

St. Vladimir Cathedral - the burial-vault of famous admirals Lazarev, Nakhimov, Kornilov and Istomin. One can admire the view of Sevastopol harbor from the top of the Central City Hill, where the Cathedral is located. The Cathedral has a wonderful neighbor - the Monument to Vladimir Lenin!

St. Vladimir Cathedral

St. Vladimir Cathedral

Monument to Lenin

---

Balaklava

Balaklava (12 km from Sevastopol).
Balaklava and its environs possess inimitable image. Discover unique natural monuments, the majestic ruins of the Genoese fortress and temples associated with poetic legends, and see the harbour of Symbols, glorified by Homer in his famous "Odyssey". The myths of Ancient Greece used to be born here, this ancient land was defended by the Roman legionaries and occupied by numerous nomads. The history of Balaklava is inseparably linked with that of Great Britain and France, Russia and Turkey. Balaklava is connected with the name of Florence Nightingale. Nobody can remain indifferent to the ancient legends and eventful history of this tiny settlement.

Balaklava Harbour

Fortress Chembalo

Balaklava

---

Naval Museum complex "Balaklava" (submarine pen)

Cold war period top secret facility, the Naval fortification masterpiece which could endure the atomic nuclear bomb explosion. This is the only in the world underground-underwater submarine repairing plant and Naval Base shelter. In the mid 1950s, Josef Stalin, amazed by results of A-bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, gave the order to hide the underwater fleet from possible nuclear attacks. The order had to be carried out and soon military engineers prepared the project for the constructing of a giant underground complex, located in the thick of the rock, deeply underground.Possible to visit the rooms intended for ammunition magazines, rocket weapons and nuclear warheads; 502 m long sea channel with dry dock cut in the rock.

Entrance into the Channel

Naval Museum complex "Balaklava" (submarine pen)

Submarine Pen

---

Diorama "Assault of Sapun Mount on May 7, 1944"
Sapun Hill Memorial Complex

Diorama "Assault of Sapun Mount on May 7, 1944" is a compositional center of Sapun Hill Memorial Complex dedicated ti World War II. This area was one of the defensive lines during the defense of Sevastopol 1941-1942. When the city was occupied by fascists (1942-1944) the enemy turned Sapun Mount into "the stone front" as it became the key position in the system of their defence works. It had from 3 to 6 layers and 70 permanent weapon emplacements. The enemy defense could fire up to 100 bullets a minute into soviet soldiers. Under this condition Sapun Mount was released after 9 hours battle. Only some minutes of the assault are imprinted on the canvas of the diorama. The Soviet had been working for 7 months to create the pictorial canvas, which is 25,5 x 5,5 m. According to the authors' idea the spectator is standing on the top of Sapun Mount on May 7, 1944 when the fight was in its culmination.

The exposition of the Memorial Complex includes displays of soviet military equipment, German war trophies, Obelisk of Glory. It is supplied with the memorial boards and military units written on them. There are two walls with the names of 240 Heroes of the Soviet Union - Sevastopol liberators.

On the top of Sapun hill Sapun Hill Commander-in-Chief of the British Army Lord Raglan had his view-point during the Battle of Balaklava in October, 1854.

Diorama

Diorama

Diorama

---

35th coastal battery (Maxim Gorky II) on cape Chersonesus

The museum of the coastal battery will be available since summer 2009. The battery was the site of terrible Battles of Sevastopol in 1942 & 1944. Thousands of Soviets as well as Germans perished in the area.

35th coastal battery (Maxim Gorky II)

35th coastal battery (Maxim Gorky II)

35th coastal battery (Maxim Gorky II)

---

The National Preserve "Chersonesus of Taurica"

The National Preserve "Chersonesus of Taurica" includes the unique historical & archeological complex, including the ancient town, the Museum of Antique & Medieval history, a port, the ancient plots of land of the citizens of the ancient town founded by the Greeks 2500 years ago, numerous basilicas & St. Vladimir's Cathedral. Chersonesus is the sacred place for Christians. Christianity became the official religion in Chersonesus in the IV century & came to Russia in the X century, Kiev Prince Vladimir & his squadron was baptized in Chersonesus in 988. This unique historical & archeological complex is recognized by UNESCO one of the most significant ancient monuments of human civilization.

Chersonesus

St.Vladimir Cathedral

Antique Theatre

---

Malakhov Hill

Legendary Malakhov Hill - one of the most important Sevastopol bastions from the Crimean War period. Nowadays Malakhov Hill Memorial complex includes the White Defensive Tower museum, monuments to the Heroes of the Crimean War, cannons-participants of the Crimean War, common grave where French & Russian soldiers and officers were buried on the last day of the First Sevastopol defense. Your guide will walk you through the park and also you'll see soviet ship-guns that were located on Malakhov Hill bastion during II World War.

Defencive Tower

Monument to Kornilov

Russian Cannon

---

Russian Common cemetery on the Northern Side of the city

The largest memorial necropolis from the period of the Crimean War. There are more than 40 000 burial places of Russian war men who took part in Sevastopol defense, 1854-1855. St Nickolas Chapel located on cemetery, was part of the city defensive system. It was connected with underground and underwater connections with Sevastopol downtown.

Russian Common Cemetery

Russian Common Cemetery

Russian Common Cemetery

---

Black Sea Fleet Museum

Black Sea Fleet Museum reflects the history of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia from the very beginning till nowadays (the periods of the city foundation, Crimean War, 1905 and 1917 Revolutions, World War II ). The museum has a great number of rarities of big educational value (XVIII - XX centuries).

Black Sea Fleet Museum

Black Sea Fleet Museum

Black Sea Fleet Museum

---

"Valley of Death" (Balaklava Valley)

You can visit British obelisk in the valley that after October, 25, 1854 became known as Valley of Death. You'll see picturesque valley where the Charge of the Light Brigade happened. Guide's story of the battle, immortalised by Tennison, is clearly imagined from the observation platform on the Sapun Hill.

Balaklava Valley

Balaklava Valley

Balaklava Valley

---

Inkerman Winery of Fine Wine

Inkerman is a small town in 14 km from Sevastopol. It is well-known thanks snow-white limestone, the Battle of Inkerman (November, 1854) and Inkerman Winery. Nowadays it's possible to observe Quarry Ravine, Suzdal Heights, St Clement's Ravine, Sandbag Battery site from the side of the Russian positions. From the side of British positions - the panoramic view of Shell Hill, Home Ridge, Sandbag Battery as well.

Inkerman Winery of Fine Wine is one of the best enterprises of classical wine-making in Europe, a national treasure of Ukraine. The winery is situated in the unique underground galleries with a total area of 55000m?. It's a kingdom of dry & dessert wines, prepared in oak casks. You can taste fine Inkerman wines after the excursion. All the wines are possible to be bought.

---

Memorial Complex "The Battle of Alma"

It is located on the site of the Battle of Alma and includes: the Obelisk commemorated to those who perished in the battle; Russian common graves on the Greater Redoubt site; the monument to Vladimirsky regiment infantrymen; the memorial sarcophagus where 7 officers of the 23 rd Welsh Fusiliers regiment were buried. In the same area it's possible to visit William Cast, a captain of the Goldstream Guards, grave.

Memorial Complex "The Battle of Alma"

British sarcophagus

Russian monument

---